The Chamber Chill Plunge provided chilly entertainment Saturday, Feb. 17 as 23 people jumped into Seeley Lake to raise money for Meals on Wheels and the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. The Best Team Costume went to Caticornichu. Amber Leetch, dressed as the unicorn, jumped first followed by the cat, her cousin Sheree Busby, and then father Jim as the pikachu. This was their first plunge and all said they would do it again next year.
The Chamber Chill Plunge provided chilly entertainment Saturday, Feb. 17 as 23 people jumped into Seeley Lake to raise money for Meals on Wheels and the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Danielle Posthumus won the individual costume award in her penguin suit.
Team Super Hero raised $825, the most of any team. "It was so slow motion I actually felt like we were in a super hero film," said Seeley-Swan High School junior Jenna Colby who was dressed in a Superman tutu. "The world stopped, and then I thought I died and then I inhaled water and I thought they were all walking away," said SSHS senior Adia Stevenson who was Batman. "I don't remember anything from 10 seconds before I jumped in," said SSHS junior Ariana Castillon as Spiderman.
Seeley Lake sixth grader Delsin Tongen was quick to swim to the ladder held by Seeley-Swan Search & Rescue volunteer Jon Haufler. He raised $110 for the plunge, the highest individual fundraiser.
Todd Amick went for style points with a perfect shallow dive. Many in the crowd gave him a 10.
The Party Animals Nick Little-Coyote as the tiger chased the rabbit Cadence Mauldin in during the plunge. Missoula County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Bob Parcell in the water with the Seeley-Swan Search & Rescue.
Jim Leetch's pikachu antenna were raised and he had a big smile as he cannon balls into Seeley Lake.
SEELEY LAKE – "It was SOOOO cold," were the first words out of plungers mouths as they huddled under blankets, towels and jackets to warm up following their jump into Seeley Lake. Twenty-three hardy souls braved the cold in the first annual Seeley Lake Area Chamber Chill Plunge Feb. 17 in front of Tamaracks Resort. More than 50 friends, family and community members gathered to support the plungers, many donating money instead of jumping themselves.
"The actual plunge was awesome," wrote Lisa Hayhurst, executive director of the Chamber. "The crowd yelled and cheered as the plungers braved the chilly water to benefit the Meals on Wheels program. It was a great event and we also felt it brought the community a little closer to one another."
Tamaracks Resort Manager Jeff Kimmel cut the 4X14 foot hole in the ice for the plunge "with a lot of help." He also made cut outs for Search and Rescue personnel to be in the water with the jumpers. The ice was 28 inches thick.
Tamaracks Resort Owners Sue and Jeff Heagy and Kimmel and his wife Jessica appreciated the opportunity to be the venue for the Chamber Chill and were thankful that everyone came out.
"We hope it is a cool new thing and I hope we can have more events out here," said Kimmel. "It's cool to bring more activities back. This is our first big event in a while [in addition to participating in Winterfest]. We will try to keep them coming. We are trying to make the Tamaracks a winter destination again."
Many of the plungers agreed that getting their feet warmed up was the biggest challenge following the plunge.
"I'm glad I brought my wool socks," said Seeley Lake's Danielle Posthumus.
Others added that next year they will bring warmer clothing, blankets and a change of shoes to help warm up.
Team Heroes of Seeley Lake raised $825 in sponsorships. Jenna Colby attributed their success to the people they work with and knowing a lot of people. The Seeley Lake Lions Club sponsored their team for $200.
"The Lions Club was really generous," said Adia Stevenson.
Other winners at the event included Team Caticornichu and Seeley Lake Fire Department for best team costumes; Posthumus the penguin for best individual costume and Seeley Lake sixth grader Delsin Tongen for the top individual fundraiser at $110. Prizes included $25-$75 gift certificates to local restaurants and various Missoula businesses as well as Kurt's Polaris snowmobile apparel.
Everyone who plunged received a t-shirt commemorating the event.
Next year, the Chamber looks forward to adding an extra tent, free hot chocolate, hot apple cider and popcorn as well as benches for seating and getting the fires going sooner. They plan to continue to market the event to gain additional sponsors in order to reduce the overhead costs of the event.
"It's a neat event and hopefully we will see more [plungers] next year when they do it," said Missoula County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Bob Parcell.
Federal Officer Tyler Robinson added that except for the one plunger who lost her glasses when she jumped in, "Everything went really smooth and no one got hurt and we are happy with that."
The Chamber appreciated the Tamaracks Resort for hosting the event. They were also thankful to the Seeley Lake Fire Department, Seeley-Swan Search and Rescue, the sponsors and the volunteers who assisted to help make the event possible.
Hayhurst added, "Most of all, a great big thank you to all of our plungers! We definitely have plans to make the Plunge an annual event, which helps the Seeley Lake Chamber promote business and tourism in our community, as well as benefit a local charity."
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